Gong Xi Fa Cai!
The Chinese in Singapore welcome the Lunar New Year with tiny tangerines commonly referred to as kumquats, although they’re not exactly that. The Chinese word for these mandarin oranges is similar in sound to the word for good fortune, and the color is also considered auspicious.
I wonder if Pantone was taking a page from the Chinese when it decided that Tangerine Tango would be the color of 2012.
In any case, the hue’s everywhere these days.
It’s a “vivacious color” as Pantone would have you believe. There was one summer I wore it all the time. But many are finding it’s not so easy to apply. Paired with black and white, it feels halfway between Halloween-y and prison jumpsuit.
A lot of people can’t bring themselves to pair it with brights (I’m really liking H&M’s orange-and-pink). It can come off as a candy or children’s room scheme.
And with shades of brown, it might just feel retro, unless you use a light, light khaki.
What are you pairing with your Tangerine Tango?
